Thai government responds to Washington Post article about Thai abuse of Burmese in the shrimp industry

Combating abuse of workers in Thailand – washingtonpost.com, September 26, 2012The Sept. 22 news article “In Thai shrimp sheds, exploited labor” unfairly sensationalized the issue of migrant labor in Thailand. Improving the welfare of migrant workers and combating human trafficking are high on Thailand’s agenda…
[This sensitivity to critical reports on the country is a characteristic of Thaksin-directed governments. Unlike the normal insular politicians, Thaksin has a keen awareness of international opinion about Thailand and always makes sure negative reports are promptly countered.]

True Albert
But 2bangkok’s yellow trolling editors chose to overlook that. I rub my hands in gleeful anticipation of the day when all these yellow corrupt families wake up to find themselves in the wrong camp and their network’s business interests wither. God speed.

No, I don’t think non-Thaksin governments have been the same. And I do not know why the assumption is being made that a Thai government engaging in public relations is bad.
Non-Thaksin governments have taken international stands very grudgingly over contentious issues such as the monarchy and border issues–basically they were forced to make some comment because of domestic political considerations. And when these governments did step forward, their approach was not been very compelling or effective.
Ultimately Thaksin governments at their peak have spoken out quickly when the international press criticizes the country’s politics–and not just for domestic political points.
The entire history of the pro- vs anti-Thaksin movements has been the success of those who understand public relations, lobbying and value an international perspective. It is only the Thaksin side that continues to value being quick and up front in engaging on issues.
That may seem like an obvious tactic to Westerners, but it does (and has) conflicted with the older style of reticence and deference that assumes that not engaging will naturally preserve one’s sense of honor and face.
The sometimes noisy, but politically invisible opposition is betting on the same old Thai equation–that natural party politics will tend to make the government overwhelmingly corrupt and eventually pull it apart. Then they will be naturally afforded, in the polite Thai way, a chance to take their turn. Of course, this is likely delusional.

I would rub my hands in gleeful anticipation of the day when local politics is capable of being something a damn sight better that a bunch of color-coded pretenders fighting over who gets to keep all the power and dosh after the looming day of reckoning. Unfortunately, I’m well aware, after years of observation, that this country only ever gets worse. It’s all to easy here to have right-on intentions and eventually find yourself accidentally condoning yet another greedy despot.